Faulkner Rolls Over Lee 56-39
In a game that appeared at times more like a chess match, eighth-ranked Faulkner outmaneuvered No. 20 Lee 56-39 Thursday night at Tine Davis Gymnasium to take over first place in the Southern States Athletic Conference standings.
An 11-4 run to open the second half broke open a close game and handed the Eagles a nine-point advantage with 14:35 to play. The Flames got no closer than seven the rest of the way. Faulkner's biggest margin came at the 5:03 mark when Brandon Vaughn buried a three-point jumper for a 54-36 lead.
"I thought at the start of the game we weren't ready, but as the grind of the game continued I thought we got more into it, especially in the second half,'' Faulkner coach Jim Sanderson said. "I believe conditioning was a big part of it. We were able to penetrate their defense better in the second half, and got some points off of transition. Our defense was solid most of the night.''
Faulkner's swarming defense held Lee to only five baskets in the second half, and the Flames' 39 points were 37 shy of their league-leading average of 76 points a game. Lee shot just 37 percent from the field.
The Eagles rolled to the victory despite a poor shooting night of their own, making only 40 percent of their shots. Faulkner was a paltry 4 of 23 from behind the arc. The Eagles commited only 10 turnovers in the game while forcing Lee into 19.
Faulkner (10-1, 5-0 SSAC) was paced by Vaughn's 15 points and six rebounds. Aaron Greenwood added 11 points and seven rebounds, while Jon Uriarte and Bryant Murray added 10 points apiece. Lee (8-3, 2-1 SSAC) got 11 points from Sir-Lee Mason.
Faulkner hosts SSAC foe Shorter Saturday afternoon at 2.